BS 12613:2021 pdf download – Plastics warning devices for underground cables and pipelines with visual characteristics
The material shall be made of any thermoplastic material, e.g. polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).to which are added those additives necessary for manufacturing warning devices conforming to therequirements of this document.
The use of own or external reprocessed materials or recycled materials shall be permitted formanufacturing warning devices conforming to the requirements of this document.
The material, additives, colour masterbatches and inks for printing, if added, shall have no detrimentaleffect on the environment.
Environmental, health and safety aspects, as well as the use of regulated substances [1] are to be takeninto account for the design process of the products.
5 Requirements
5.1 Colour
The colour of the warning device shall be as agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser.5.2 Appearance and colour fastness
The appearance, colouring and marking of the warning device shall not exhibit any change when testedin accordance with 6.2.No discoloration or change of the initial colour shall be permitted. nly a changein surface appearance (e.g.gloss /matt) shall be permitted.
For a given type of warning device (design, width), the colour fastness shall be tested for each colour.5.3 Dimensional characteristics
5.3.1 General
The nominal width,Wo, of the warning device shall be as agreed between the manufacturer and thepurchaser.
The dimensional characteristics of the warning device shall be measured by means of:
a) a measuring tape/metal ruler, capable of measuring to an accuracy of 1,0 mm for the width of the
warning device;
b) a metal ruler, capable of measuring to an accuracy of 0,5 mm for the internal perimeter of the
openings, if relevant;
c)a calliper gauge, capable of measuring to an accuracy of 0,1 mm, for measuring the minimum width
of the strands, if relevant.
5.3.2 Type 1 warning devices
Each individual value of the width shall be equal or greater than 50 mm and the outside edges of thewarning device shall be straight and parallel.
The deviation of each outside edge, towards outside or inside relatively to the mean line, shall be less orequal to 2 mm.
5.3.3 Type 2 warning devices
The width of the Type 2 warning device shall conform to Table 1.
The internal perimeter of an opening shall be ≤ 360 mm.
The minimum width of the strands shall be:
— ≥ 1 mm when the internal perimeter of the opening is < 160 mm;
— ≥ 2 mm when the internal perimeter of the opening is ≥ 160 mm.
It is recommended that the minimum reel length is equal or greater than 100 m or as agreed between the manufacturer and the purchaser.
5.4 Laying characteristics
5.4.1 General
For ease of use, the warning devices need sufficient flatness and longitudinal mechanical strength to maintain their shape.
5.4.2 Tensile withstand strength
When tested in accordance with 6.3, the type 1 warning device shall withstand a load of 200 N during 1 min in longitudinal direction, without starting of the separation of the weak points, if any, and shall not exhibit a reduction of more than 20 % of its width after removal of the load. When tested in accordance with 6.3, the type 2 warning device shall withstand a load of 300 N during 1 min in longitudinal direction, without starting of the separation of the weak points, if any, and shall not exhibit a reduction of more than 20 % of its width after removal of the load.
5.4.3 Flatness When tested in accordance with 6.4, the warning device shall not exhibit a gap between any point of the warning device and the reference surface greater than W 0 /4.
5.5 Visual warning characteristics The visual characteristics of the warning devices are assessed by means of a test which simulates the opening of a trench with the bucket of an excavator (see A.1). When tested in accordance with Annex A, the warning device shall exhibit at least one single part of a minimum length of 200 mm outside of the movable plate (which simulates the bucket) and at least one single part of a minimum length of 200 mm in the frame (which simulate the trench). In the case of absence of rupture between the movable plate and at least one side of the frame, the warning device is deemed to satisfy the requirement of this subclause. The width of the visible parts of warning device shall be greater or equal to 2 mm.